DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers and right-handed starting pitcher Shawn Hill have agreed to a minor league contract.

The Tigers confirmed the move early Monday.

Toronto removed Hill from its 40-man roster in early October and the 31-year-old elected free agency, rather than outright accepting an assignment to the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate.

Hill should provide organizational depth for the Tigers and is expected to serve as starter depth in the upper levels of their farm system, likely in Triple-A Toledo.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said in early November that the Tigers would likely seek out a starting pitcher to compete for the fifth spot if they don't re-sign free-agent right-hander Anibal Sanchez.

Hill spent most of 2012 in Triple-A Las Vegas. He went 9-2 with a 4.52 ERA and a 52:22 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 15 starts.

He appeared in one game for the Blue Jays, earning a win after tossing three shutout innings of relief against the Yankees on Sept. 29. It was his first win in the majors since 2010.

In parts of six major league seasons, the 6-foot-2 Hill is 9-18 overall with a 4.74 ERA in 44 starts with Montreal (2004), Washington (2006-2008), San Diego (2009) and Toronto (2010).